Family Based Care
Family-Based Alternative Care (FBAC) is a child-centered approach designed to provide care and protection to children who cannot live with their biological parents. The core idea is to ensure that children grow up in a family environment that supports their physical, emotional, and social development. FBAC options include kinship care, foster care, guardianship, and adoption, all of which prioritize a nurturing family setting over institutional care. This model aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), emphasizing the right of every child to family life and protection from harm. By preserving familial and cultural ties, FBAC minimizes the trauma of separation and ensures continuity in a child’s life, fostering resilience and stability.
The following are the key interventions of the program:
Family Study Report
A Family Study Report is an essential tool in FBAC to assess the suitability of a family for providing care. It involves a detailed evaluation of the family’s background, resources, and capacity to meet the child’s needs. This assessment examines various factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural values, health, and education. Additionally, it evaluates the physical and emotional environment of the household, ensuring it is safe, stable, and conducive to the child’s growth. The report also investigates the family’s motivation to take on the responsibility, their understanding of the child’s needs, and their commitment to long-term care.
Individual Care Plan
The Individual Care Plan (ICP) is a personalized roadmap developed to ensure that each child’s unique needs are addressed within the FBAC framework. This comprehensive document outlines specific goals for the child’s physical, emotional, educational, and social development. It includes provisions for health care, psychosocial support, and extracurricular activities, tailored to the child’s age and circumstances. The ICP is a dynamic document that is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the child’s progress and evolving needs. It also details the roles and responsibilities of the caregiving family and professionals involved in the child’s care.
Access to Services
Ensuring access to essential services is a cornerstone of FBAC, as it equips children and families with the resources needed for sustainable care. Children in FBAC arrangements are connected to educational opportunities, ensuring they remain enrolled in school and receive support for academic achievement. Health services, including routine check-ups, immunizations, and specialized medical care, are provided to address physical and mental health needs. Families are also linked to psychosocial support programs, including counseling for both the child and caregivers to strengthen emotional bonds and coping mechanisms. Social security benefits, such as government welfare schemes, financial aid, and livelihood support, are facilitated to ease the economic burden on caregiving families.
Family Strengthening
Family strengthening is an integral aspect of FBAC, focusing on building the capacity of caregiving families to provide long-term, stable care. This involves equipping families with parenting skills, child protection knowledge, and emotional support mechanisms through training and workshops. Economic empowerment programs, such as livelihood development, microloans, and financial planning, are introduced to alleviate financial constraints and improve the family’s ability to meet the child’s needs. Community-based support networks, including peer groups and local committees, offer families a safety net of resources and advice.
Permanency Planning
Permanency planning is a fundamental principle of FBAC, aiming to provide children with stable, long-term living arrangements that meet their developmental and emotional needs. This process involves creating a structured plan for the child’s future, whether through reunification with their biological family, adoption, guardianship, or transition to independent living. The plan is tailored to the child’s best interests and is developed in collaboration with caregivers, social workers, and other stakeholders. Permanency planning also emphasizes preparing the child for the transition, addressing their psychological and emotional readiness.
Aftercare
Aftercare initiatives are essential to support systems designed to help young adults transition smoothly from institutional care to independent living. These programs provide a range of services, including life skills training, education, vocational guidance, emotional support, and housing assistance, tailored to meet the unique needs of care leavers. By equipping them with the necessary skills and resources, aftercare initiatives aim to bridge the gap between adolescence and adulthood, ensuring they can build self-reliant and fulfilling lives. Such programs also foster a sense of belonging and stability, enabling care leavers to integrate effectively into society and pursue meaningful opportunities.
